[Sca-cooks]Fountains was: Casa Bardicci Subtlety Contest

[Robert Downie]

Susan Fox wrote:

> So, how would one go about making a "fountain" without a 
> post-Renaissance electric fountain kit?  I'm thinking, an adjoining 
> reservoir set on a shelf just above the level of the output spout. 
> Fluid goes in the reservoir and out the spout.  Refill as necessary, 
> isn't that what servants are for? 

I know gravity fed pumps have been around for quite some time (sorry, no 
specific references to hand, can't remember _where_ I read it, just that 
I read it).  Given more time, that could have been an option.  Other 
than that, I'm not sure - although I do remember seeing pictures of 
elaborate medieval golden table fountains with no obvious means of 
gravity feeding the water.

I would love to learn more about how period fountains worked.  Does 
anyone have any recommendations for good boks on the subject?

Faerisa